Seraphic Fire, Miami’s Grammy-nominated choir, opens its 11^th season on Wednesday, Oct. 17, with Simple Gifts, a celebration of refreshingly simple choral music that inspired America.

The beautifully sincere music of Aaron Copland, declared “the American composer” by The New York Times, and his contemporaries, will be on stunning display as Seraphic Fire embarks on its new season at venues in Coral Gables and elsewhere in South Florida.

Following its Oct. 17-21 performances of Simple Gifts, Seraphic Fire will be returning to the Riviera County Club on Sunday, Nov. 4, for its second annual Gospel Brunch, a soul-stirring, hand-clapping benefit. (Reserve early; it sold out quickly last year.)

While some arts groups nationwide are unfortunately struggling or even failing, Seraphic Fire sets out this season with the wind at its back — a record number of subscribers, a newly signed record distribution deal and the optimistic energy of an organization on the rise.

Seraphic Fire’s 10^th anniversary season brought with it a series of celebrated achievements—most notably the ensemble’s two 2012 Grammy nominations, making it the only choir in North and South America to be nominated. Seraphic Fire went on to close the performance year with more sold-out concerts than ever before. Seraphic Fire is also emerging from its highest-grossing summer to date.

Additionally, in August, Seraphic Fire’s independent recording label, Seraphic Fire Media, closed a global distribution deal with Naxos of America, the nation’s leader in classical music distribution. The deal will grant Seraphic Fire complete artistic control over future projects while placing the ensemble’s albums in stores around the world and online across all digital platforms.

Seraphic Fire’s 2012-13 season began in September with a tour across Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania; enthusiastic and even sold-out audiences greeted the ensemble.

To open the season here at home, Seraphic Fire celebrates Americana with music from the Shaker tradition, as well as Copland, Samuel Barber, Morten Lauridsen and others.

Simple Gifts will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way. Additional performances are:

Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, 126 SE 15th Rd., Miami

Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton

Oct. 20, 8 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 333 Tarpon Dr., Fort Lauderdale

Oct. 21, 4 p.m., Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Ave.

General admission tickets are $38; children under 8 years of age will not be permitted.

Tickets for the Nov. 4 Gospel Brunch, to be catered with New Orleans-style cuisine, are $150 each; sponsorship packages are also available.

For tickets and more information call 305-285-9060 or visit www.SeraphicFire.org.